The New Zealand government has announced a fresh round of Commonwealth Scholarships for Indian students who want to start postgraduate studies in New Zealand in 2018. The deadline for applications is on, or before, 30 March.

The scholarships are offered by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in association with the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India. They will cover the entire expense of living and studying in New Zealand, including full tuition costs, living allowance, medical and travel insurance, travel to and from the home country, and assistance with research expenses for most postgraduate research students.

To be eligible, students must fulfil the following conditions:

1. They must have an offer in hand from one of New Zealand's 8 universities. The offer can also be conditional. To secure this, students must apply early for a direct entry into a Master's (1-2 years) or PhD (3.5 years) course.
    
2. Be enrolled to study in a subject related to one of the following fields of study: renewable energy, agriculture development, disaster risk management, education and public/private sector management.
    
3. If applying for a PhD, candidates must secure a Letter of Support from the supervisor, in case they are shortlisted.
    

In addition to academic qualifications, candidates must have the following qualities:

1. Be 39 years of age or younger at the time of commencing their studies.
    
2. Have strong academic capability, leadership qualities, and commitment to development of their home country.
    
3. Also, scholars will be required to return home for at least two years after completing their studies to ensure that India benefits from the knowledge acquired.
    

The rewarding body is also keen to ensure gender balance among the selected candidates. So, female candidates are encouraged to apply.

To apply, candidates must submit their applications on, or before 30 March 2017, to the national nominating agency. In India, this role is played by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). MHRD will then forward two shortlisted applications New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

In May, MFAT will contact students to let them know that they have been shortlisted. A final decision is expected to be made by mid-October 2017.

For more details, click here.

 

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